The family of a cyclist who suffered a cardiac arrest have thanked hospital staff and police for their support after his life-support machine was switched off.

Gary Woodward, who was a life-long member of Chippenham Wheelers Cycling Club and lived in Calne, was found unconscious and not breathing at the side of Blacklands Road, in Flaxlands, near Royal Wootton Bassett, on June 20.

A paramedic in a rapid-response vehicle, a road ambulance and the Wiltshire Air Ambulance attended, together with four police cars, and after paramedics succeeded in restarting his heart,

Mr Woodward was rushed to Bristol Royal Infirmary to receive treatment.

But the time he was not breathing left Mr Woodward severely brain damaged and on Saturday – his 68th birthday – doctors took the decision to switch off his life-support machine.

However Mr Woodward has continued to breathe unaided.

Jackie, Mr Woodward’s ex-wife and mother of his 47-year-old only son, Duane, said the family was devastated .

She said: “I’m just so shocked. Duane is absolutely devastated. We can’t really believe what’s happened.”

Doctors are unable to explain what could have happened to trigger the cardiac arrest.